WESTERN DISTRICT.

Southland Times, Issue 1780, 15 August 1873, Page 3

WESTERN DISTRICT.

(FROM A COEXEB*ONDEWT.) A public meeting of the settlers at Limestone Plums was held in the house of Mr Molliaon on the evening of the 9th mat., for the purpose of considering the route proposed for the railway from Biverton to the Otautau. Mr W. A. Lyon was called upon to take the chair, and in doing so expressed the hope that each speaker would obtain a fair and impartial hearing. He thought all personal conveniences and advantages should be waived, and the . question considered on the broad ground as to j whether the line, as already surveyed, followed the route which would be most accessible to the majority of the settlers, and which would be most easily constructed. It was proposed by Mr M'Dougall, and seconded by Mr Collie, that the survey as already made should be adhered to. Mr Quin proposed an amendment to the effect that the line of railway should be constructed on the east side of Jacob's Biver. He said that he did so because the present survey, on the west side of the river, was impracticable, inasmuch as it necessitated the erection of two expensive bridges, whereas by keeping the east side the Otautau could be reached without the expensive item of bridges at all. If constructed according to the present survey, the line would be liable to be destroyed by floods, and it was not judicious to incur an unnecessary expenditure for bridges, and run the risk of damage by floods when both could be easily avoided. Mr Anderson seconded Mr Quid's amendment. Messrs Teviotdale, M' Donald, Pirie, M'Kenzie, and others spoke in support of the amendment, and Mr Mackintosh, of Otautau, supported the motion, urging that as the line had been sanctioned according to the survey already made, it was highly injudicious to dispute about the route selected, as it might imperil tbe construction of the railway. The motion and amendment were submitted to the meeting, when the latter was carried by a large majority. It was then resolved that the chairman should forward the opinion of the meeting to the Government, and that Messrs Bonald M'Donald, George Anderson, Peter Teviotdale, and W. A. Lyon be appointed a committee to confer with other committees formed or to be formed in the district to further the object in view. A well attended meeting of the settlers of the Flint's Bush district was held in the house of Mr J. W. Hamilton on the evening of the 12th mat. to consider the question of the route of the projected railway from ftiverton to the Otautau. Mr Hamilton occupied tbe chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting, calling upon Mr John Gumming, the member for the district, to explain what had been done in the matter during the recent session of the Provincial Council.

Mr Cumming then addressed the meeting at Borne length, explaining the position in which the question with

regard to the railway stood, and also enumerating the sums which had been voted for roads, &c , in the Western District. Mr W. A. Lyon explained that he had been appointed by a meeting held at the Limestone Plains in connection with the route chosen for the Otautau railway, to urge the desirability of having the line altered from the west to the east side of Jacob's River, and he advocated that a proper survey should be made on the east side, as in his opinion the railway would be more beneficial to the district as a whole if it were constructed on that side of the river. After some conversational remarks, Mr Turnbull proposed that the member for Aparima in the Provincmi Council b<? requested to wait upon the Engineer on his arrival in the district, and request that a survey should be made oi the east side of Jacob's River ; and also to enquire whether it is not advisable to take the cross line higher up than the Waianiwa. The motion was seconded pro forma Mr R. M'Donald moved as an amendment — That this meeeing requests that a survey of the Riverton and Otautau Railway be made on the eastern side of Jacob's River, and that the chairman be requested to forward this resolution to the proper quarter. Mr W. A. Lyon seconded the amendment. Mr Fallow proposed as a further amendment — That a meeting of the Works Committee be called to consider the best routes for the railways, with the view of appointing a deputation to wait on the Engineer when he arrives in the district. Seconded by Mr M'Neill. Mr Turnbull having withdrawn his motion in favor of Mr M'Donald'e amendment, there voted for it 4, and for Mr Fallow's amendment 13. Mr Fallow then moved— That Mr Cumming, M.P.C. for the Aparima dis trict, be desired to write to the Government requesting that the Engineer be asked to confer with a deputation appointed by the settlers in the Western District on the subject of the routes for the railways. Seconded by Mr M'Neill and agreed to. Thereafter it was proposed by Mr Lyon, seconded by Mr Fallow, and carried item. eon,. — That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Otantau Railway should go on the east side of the river. m